Birds Of A Feather Episode 42
As Rob turned the corner at the end of the hospital corridor, he saw his mother at the entrance to the cardiac ward.
One look at her face and he feared the worst.
“Mother?” His breath came in short gasps. He hadn’t waited for the lift, choosing instead to run up the three flights of stairs. “Is he –”
“He’s come round,” Daphne said. “The first thing he did was ask for you.
“He got so upset I was afraid he’d have another attack. That was why I called you.”
Rob moved towards the door, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
“Before you go in, there’s something I have to ask you. Your father – he doesn’t know.”
Rob frowned.
“Doesn’t know what?”
“Doesn’t know you came back that night,” she murmured. “He’s for ever wondering why you never came home and is bound to ask you.”
“You never told him how you sent me away?” Rob said sharply. “Told me not to come back until I’d cleaned myself up. Am I clean enough for you now, Mother?”
She looked down at her perfectly manicured hands clasped tightly in front of her and shook her head.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was so low he had to bend his head to hear.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did tell him. I deserve nothing less for the way I treated you.
“But I’m begging you to wait until he’s stronger. For his sake. Not mine.”
Rob looked into his mother’s eyes and saw tears in them. She never cried. Never pleaded.
All the resentment he’d felt towards her for so many years melted away.
“Come on,” he said as he put his arm on hers. “Let’s go and see him, shall we?”
This time she didn’t shake his arm off, but covered his hand with hers and gave it a squeeze.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
As they entered the ward, Rob thought for a moment his mother had gone to the wrong bed.
Then, as he got closer, he could see it was his father. His face was gaunt against the white sheets.
“Rob. You came.”
“Of course, Dad.” Rob sat in the chair by the side of the bed and took his hand. “How are you?”
Geoffrey gave a weak smile.
“All the better for seeing you. They tell me I have to stay in for a few days. I just wanted to ask you to look after your mother while I’m stuck in here.”
“Really, Geoffrey!” Daphne looked affronted. “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“Of course, dear.” He looked from mother to son, his eyes anxious. “There’s something I have to tell you. It’s about the business.”
“It’s finished,” Daphne stated. “I knew ages ago. I was just waiting for you to tell me.”
“You knew?” Geoffrey stared at her. “But how?”
Daphne shrugged.
“You never locked the ledgers away. I can read a balance sheet, you know.
“But why did you let that man into the business? Things started going wrong from that moment.”
“Don’t you think this should wait for another time?” Rob said to his mother.
“You’re wrong,” Geoffrey said, his voice stronger. “I owe you an explanation.
“My foolishness cost us the home we love, and you, Rob, the business you’d have inherited one day.”